“The more education you have the less likely you will be unemployed,” said Larry Pogemiller, director of Minnesota’s office of higher education, as he led an open forum with a group of students at Globe University’s Minneapolis campus last week.

The former state senator visited the campus with Globe Education Network (GEN) Provost Dave Metzen. Citing U.S. Census Bureau statistics, Pogemiller noted the average master’s degree holder can earn up to $2.5 million more in a lifetime compared to someone with a bachelor’s or associate degree.

There is little argument that a college education is becoming more important to compete in today’s workforce. It is estimated by 2018 that 70 percent of jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma. Indeed, in some fields, Pogemiller observed, “The master’s degree has become the new bachelor’s.”

Beyond a strong education foundation, Pogemiller explained that employers need people with refined problem solving skills. Metzen added that employers also need people who can collaborate and work in teams.

“Creating a diversity of ideas is important,” Metzen said.

Pogemiller has talked with hundreds of students and faculty throughout the state. His core messages at each stop consistently boil down into two ideas: First, “Everybody is going to need to be more educated in the future,” he said, and second, “Every student must learn to manage his or her school loan debt, responsibly.”While noting Minnesota has a low student loan default rate, he lamented that Minnesota’s students carry one of the nation’s highest debt loads.

Tara attended another career school and didn’t like the experience. Apparently, she’s home at Globe, where she is earning straight A’s and is deeply involved in student groups. Her biggest wish: she wants to be the subject of a “success story,” referring to the printed and framed stories that are showcased on each GEN campus.

For students like Tara, who understand that a good education is their ticket to success, Globe is just one stop on a long career journey. And, as Pogemiller reminded the group, the learning never stops.